Efficient usage of a one-channel receiver for receiving multi channel transmission

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide a data transmitter configured to divide data onto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit the plurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-data packets, the data transmitter being configured to transmit a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequency channel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern are different.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2018/080777, filed Nov. 9, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionallyclaims priority from German Application No. 10 2017 220 063.4, filedNov. 10, 2017, which is also incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to a data transmitter and to a data receiver for thetelegram splitting transmission method. Some embodiments relate to anefficient usage of a one-channel receiver for receiving multi-channeltransmission. Some embodiments relate to a system for digitallytransmitting data via a radio transmission system, wherein thetransmitted data can be transmitted in several sub-frequency channels ofthe entire bandwidth available. In particular, embodiments are suitablefor being used in the so-called “telegram splitting multiple access”access method.

“Telegram splitting multiple access” (TSMA) is known from DE 10 2011 082098 B4. In TSMA, the transmission of a message (data packet) issubdivided into a plurality of short sub-data packets (bursts) betweenwhich there are transmission-free time intervals of respective differentdurations. The sub-data packets are distributed over both time and thefrequency channels available in accordance with a pseudo-randomprinciple. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1.

In detail, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a message by means of telegram splittingmultiple access (TSMA) in a diagram. As can be recognized in FIG. 1, theplurality of sub-data packets 142 can be transmitted in a mannerdistributed over both time and several frequency channels.

In [G. Kilian, M. Breiling, H. H. Petkov, H. Lieske, F. Beer, J. Robert,and A. Neuberger, “Increasing Transmission Reliability for TelemetrySystems Using Telegram Splitting”, IEEE Transactions on Communications,vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 949-961, March 2015], it was shown that greater acapacity in data transmission can be obtained using the TSMA method thanwhen transmitting a data packet in a contiguous block, i.e. with nosplitting to sub-data packets. In order to obtain the largest possiblesystem capacity, as many different time-frequency hopping patterns aspossible are to be used [DE 10 2017 206 236 A1]. The overall number ofthe time-frequency hopping patterns used here has to be finite and hasto originate from a supply of time-frequency hopping patterns knownbefore.

In a transmission system with an uncoordinated, random channel access bythe participants (random multiple access), the data receiver in TSMAdoes not know before which time-frequency hopping pattern is used by adata transmitter. Thus, the data receiver has to observe the entirefrequency band (consisting of several frequency channels) over asufficiently long period of time and recognize the occurrence of atime-frequency hopping pattern (like by correlating the receive signalwith the pilot symbol sequences known to it).

This entails two disadvantages. Firstly (problem A), the data receiverprincipally has to comprise a receive unit which is able to receiveseveral frequency channels at the same time. Thus, a multi-channelreceiver is used, which means that the bandwidth of the receiver has toextend at least over the entire bandwidth of the frequency hoppingpattern and, thus, over several TSMA frequency channels. Secondly(problem B), the data receiver has to expect the beginning oftransmission at each and every point in time. Since the time-frequencyhopping pattern used is not known before, correlation of the receivesignal has to take place with regard to each potential hopping patternat each potential transmission starting time. This entails a comparablyhigh computing/processing capacity on the part of the receiver.

Consequently, the object underlying the present invention is providing aconcept which allows receiving a TSMA transmission also using simplereceivers.

SUMMARY

An embodiment may have a data transmitter configured to divide data ontoa plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit at least a part of theplurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; the data transmitter being configured to transmit asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver.

Another embodiment may have a data transmitter configured to divide dataonto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit the plurality ofsub-data packets distributed in a plurality of frequency channels incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets; the data transmitter being configured to transmita synchronization sub-data packet on a synchronization frequency channelfixed relative to the frequency channels in which the plurality ofsub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket has activation information using which a data receiver is able toestablish whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver.

Another embodiment may have a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein thereare transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the sub-data packets; the data receiver being configured toreceive a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronizationfrequency channel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver; wherein the data receiver isconfigured to establish, using the activation information, whether thedata transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets aredestined for the data receiver and, in case the data are destined forthe data receiver, to receive the plurality of sub-data packets.

Another embodiment may have a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin a plurality of frequency channels in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; wherein the data receiver is configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a synchronization frequency channelwhich is fixed relative to the frequency channels in which the pluralityof sub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket has activation information using which a data receiver is able toestablish whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; wherein the datareceiver is configured to establish, using the activation information,whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver and, in case the data aredestined for the data receiver, to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets.

Still another embodiment may have a repeater configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern to obtain aplurality of received sub-data packets, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof sub-data packets; the repeater being configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which the repeater is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are to be emitted repeatedly; wherein the repeater is configuredto establish, using the activation information, whether the datatransmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are to beemitted repeatedly and, in case the data are to be emitted repeatedly,to receive the plurality of sub-data packets; wherein the repeater isconfigured, in case the data are to be emitted repeatedly, to emit thedata repeatedly by emitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets incorrespondence with a repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, whereinthere are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

Another embodiment may have a system having: any inventive datatransmitter as mentioned before; and any inventive data receiver asmentioned before, and/or any inventive repeater as mentioned before.

According to another embodiment, a method for transmitting data may havethe steps of: dividing the data onto a plurality of sub-data packets;transmitting the plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets; transmitting a synchronization sub-data packet ona fixed synchronization frequency channel, wherein the synchronizationfrequency channel and frequency channels in which the plurality ofsub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet has activation information using which adata receiver is able to establish whether the data transmitted by meansof the plurality of sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver.

According to another embodiment, a method for receiving data transmitteddivided onto a plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets, may have the steps of: receiving a synchronizationsub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequency channel by a datareceiver, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver; establishing, using theactivation information, whether the data transmitted by means of theplurality of sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; andreceiving the plurality of sub-data packets by the data receiver in casethe data are destined for the data receiver.

According to another embodiment, a method for repeatedly emitting datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets, may have the steps of: receiving a synchronizationsub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequency channel by arepeater, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which the repeater is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are to be emitted repeatedly; establishing, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly; receiving the pluralityof sub-data packets by the repeater and repeatedly emitting the data byemitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets in correspondence witha repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, in case the data are to beemitted repeatedly, wherein there are transmission intermissions whereno transmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.

Still another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storagemedium having stored thereon a computer program for performing a methodfor transmitting data having the steps of: dividing the data onto aplurality of sub-data packets; transmitting the plurality of sub-datapackets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hoppingpattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets; transmitting asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver, when said computer programis run by a computer.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving stored thereon a computer program for performing a method forreceiving data transmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packetsdistributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern,wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the sub-data packets, having the steps of: receiving asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel by a data receiver, wherein the synchronization frequencychannel and frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-datapackets are mainly transmitted in correspondence with the time/frequencyhopping pattern are different; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket has activation information using which a data receiver is able toestablish whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; establishing, usingthe activation information, whether the data transmitted by means of theplurality of sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; andreceiving the plurality of sub-data packets by the data receiver in casethe data are destined for the data receiver, when said computer programis run by a computer.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving stored thereon a computer program for performing a method forrepeatedly emitting data transmitted divided onto a plurality ofsub-data packets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets, having the stepsof: receiving a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixedsynchronization frequency channel by a repeater, wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet has activation information using whichthe repeater is able to establish whether the data transmitted by meansof the plurality of sub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly;establishing, using the activation information, whether the datatransmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are to beemitted repeatedly; receiving the plurality of sub-data packets by therepeater and repeatedly emitting the data by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, in case the data are to be emittedrepeatedly, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets, when said computer program is run by a computer.

Still another embodiment may have a data transmitter configured todivide data onto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit atleast a part of the plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets; the data transmitter being configured to transmita synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet has the information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern in at least one of:

-   -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted divided onto at        least two synchronization partial sub-data packets and        distributed over time and frequency;    -   a hopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter which the        synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

Another embodiment may have a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein thereare transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the sub-data packets; the data receiver being configured toreceive a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronizationfrequency channel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet hasinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted; wherein the plurality ofsub-data packets are received using the information on thetime/frequency hopping patter; wherein the information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern is extracted from at least one of:

-   -   a data field within the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted divided onto at        least two synchronization partial sub-data packets and        distributed over time and frequencies;    -   a hopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter which the        synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

Another embodiment may have a data transmitter configured to divide dataonto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit at least a part ofthe plurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; the data transmitter being configured to transmit asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the data transmitter is configured tochannel-encode the data and to divide the same onto the plurality ofsub-data packets such that, in the case of a successful transmissionthereof, only a second group of sub-data packets is used for decodingthe data and such that, in the case of an erroneous transmission, ahigher code gain is achieved by a combination of a first group ofsub-data packets and the second group of sub-data packets; the datatransmitter being configured to transmit the first group of sub-datapackets temporally before the second group of sub-data packets, and thedata transmitter being configured to transmit the synchronizationsub-data packet after the first group of sub-data packets and before thesecond group of sub-data packets.

Another embodiment may have a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein thereare transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the sub-data packets; the data receiver being configured toreceive a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronizationfrequency channel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the data are channel-encoded and divided onto theplurality of sub-data packets such that, in the case of a successfultransmission thereof, only a second group of sub-data packets is usedfor decoding the data and such that, in the case of an erroneoustransmission, a higher code gain is achieved by a combination of a firstgroup of sub-data packets and the second group of sub-data packets;wherein the first group of sub-data packets is transmitted temporallybefore the second group of sub-data packets, and wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet is transmitted after the first group ofsub-data packets and before the second group of sub-data packets;wherein the synchronization sub-data packet has information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the second group of sub-datapackets is transmitted; wherein the data receiver is configured toreceive the second group of sub-data packets using the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern.

Another embodiment may have a repeater configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern to obtain aplurality of received sub-data packets, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof sub-data packets; wherein the repeater is configured to emit the datarepeatedly by emitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets incorrespondence with a repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, whereinthere are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the plurality of repeated sub-data packets; wherein the data arecoded and distributed to the plurality of sub-data packets such that, inthe case of error-free transmission, only a first group of sub-datapackets of the plurality of sub-data packets is used for successfullydecoding the data and such that, in the case of erroneous decoding, anincreased code gain is achieved by a combination of the first group ofsub-data packets and a second group of sub-data packets; the repeaterbeing configured to decode the first group of received sub-data packetsand, in case decoding was successful, to re-encode the data and dividethe same onto at least a first group of repeated sub-data packets andemit the same before receiving a last sub-data packet of the pluralityof sub-data packets.

Another embodiment may have a repeater configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern to obtain aplurality of received sub-data packets, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof sub-data packets; wherein the repeater is configured to emit the datarepeatedly by emitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets incorrespondence with a repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, whereinthere are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the plurality of repeated sub-data packets; wherein the repeateris configured to combine and decode the plurality of receives sub-datapackets to obtain the data, the repeater being configured to re-encodethe data and divide the same onto the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets, or wherein the repeater is configured to re-encode the data anddivide information derived therefrom onto the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets; wherein the repeater is configured to divide the dataonto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets such that a number ofrepeated sub-data packets is smaller than a number of the sub-datapackets or received sub-data packets.

Embodiments provide a data transmitter configured to divide (orpartition or split) data onto a plurality of sub-data packets and totransmit the plurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondencewith a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions (or pauses) where no transmission takes place, between thesub-data packets, the data transmitter being configured to transmit asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern are different.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit theplurality of sub-data packets distributed to at least two frequencychannels of a frequency band in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern. Exemplarily, the plurality of sub-data packets can betransmitted distributed to at least two frequency channels of aplurality of frequency channels of the frequency band in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern. Here, the number of sub-datapackets may be equal, smaller or greater than the number of frequencychannels of the frequency band, wherein, irrespective of the number ofsub-data packets and irrespective of the number of frequency channels,there may be frequency channels in which no sub-data packet, preciselyone sub-data packet or more than one sub-data packet is transmitted.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel may be a dedicatedfrequency channel of the frequency band. Exemplarily, the frequency bandmay comprise a plurality of frequency channels, wherein one frequencychannel (or more than one frequency channel) of the plurality offrequency channels may be used (exclusively) for transmitting thesynchronization sub-data packet, whereas the other frequency channels ofthe plurality of frequency channels of the frequency band may be usedfor transmitting the plurality of sub-data packets.

Exemplarily, the frequency band may comprise a plurality of frequencychannels (like 25 frequency channels in carriers UCG_C0 to UCG_C24),wherein a frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels ofthe frequency band may be used for transmitting the synchronizationsub-data packet (=synchronization frequency channel; like UCG_C24),whereas the other frequency channels of the frequency band may be usedfor transmitting the plurality of sub-data packets (like UCG_C0 toUCG_C23).

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern in at least one of:

-   -   a data field within the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted distributed over        time and frequencies and divided onto at least two        synchronization partial sub-data packets;    -   a hopping pattern between an emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz (or crystal) tolerance of the data transmitter which        the synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedin a manner temporally synchronized to the plurality of sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet temporally before the plurality ofsub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to channel-encodethe data and to divide the same onto the plurality of sub-data packetssuch that, in the case of a successful transmission thereof, only asecond group of sub-data packets is used for decoding the data and suchthat, in the case of an erroneous transmission, a higher code gain isachieved by a combination of a first group of sub-data packets and thesecond group of sub-data packets, the data transmitter being configuredto transmit the first group of sub-data packets temporally before thesecond group of sub-data packets, and the data transmitter beingconfigured to transmit the synchronization sub-data packet after thefirst group of sub-data packets and before the second group of sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet instead of a sub-data packet of theplurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be one among theplurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may comprise asynchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronization sub-datapacket in a data receiver.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit only(exclusively) the synchronization sub-data packet in the synchronizationfrequency channel.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet at a different bandwidth than theplurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet at a different symbol rate than theplurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet at a different modulation type than theplurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet at a different transmission power thanthe plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to provide thesynchronization sub-data packet with a different channel coding or withchannel coding with a different error protection than the plurality ofsub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of a frequency band associated to the data transmitter.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of different frequency bands.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to repeatedlyemit the synchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to divide thesynchronization sub-data packet onto at least two synchronizationpartial sub-data packets and transmit the same at a time interval sothat there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the synchronization partial sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit theat least two synchronization partial sub-data packets in differentdedicated synchronization frequency channels.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit theat least two synchronization partial sub-data packets in the differentdedicated synchronization frequency channels at different transmissionpowers.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may be configured to transmit theat least two synchronization partial sub-data packets within thebandwidth of the same synchronization frequency channel at differenttransmission frequencies.

In embodiments, one of the at least two synchronization partial sub-datapackets may comprise a synchronization sequence, wherein a second one ofthe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets comprisesinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver or provided for furtherprocessing in the data receiver.

In embodiments, the activation information may be at least one of:

-   -   an indicator indicating whether the data are to be received;    -   address information of the data transmitter, or information        derived therefrom;    -   address information of a group of data transmitters which the        data transmitter is associated to, or information derived        therefrom;    -   address information of the data receiver, or information derived        therefrom; and    -   address information of a group of data receivers which the data        receiver is associated to, or information derived therefrom.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseconfiguration information for receiving the plurality of sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the configuration information may be at least one of:

-   -   a data rate;    -   a channel code;    -   a code rate;    -   a modulation alphabet;    -   a modulation type;    -   a pilot sequence;    -   a frequency offset;    -   a time offset; and    -   a quartz tolerance.

Further embodiments provide a data transmitter configured to divide dataonto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit the plurality ofsub-data packets distributed in a plurality of frequency channels incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets, the data transmitter being configured to transmita synchronization sub-data packet on a synchronization frequency channelfixed relative to the frequency channels in which the plurality ofsub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern.

Further embodiments provide a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets, the data receiver being configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed (dedicated) synchronizationfrequency channel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted, wherein the data receivermay be configured to receive the plurality of sub-data packets using theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to extract theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern from at least one of:

-   -   a data field within the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted distributed over        time and frequencies and divided onto at least two        synchronization partial sub-data packets;    -   a hopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter which the        synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedin a temporally synchronized manner to the plurality of sub-datapackets, wherein the data receiver may be configured to receive theplurality of sub-data packets in a manner temporally synchronized to thesynchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet temporally before the plurality ofsub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data may be channel-coded and divided onto theplurality of sub-data packets such that, in the case of a successfultransmission thereof, only a second group of sub-data packets is usedfor decoding the data, and such that, in the case of an erroneoustransmission, a higher code gain is achieved by combining a first groupof sub-data packets and the second group of sub-data packets, whereinthe first group of sub-data packets is transmitted temporally before thesecond group of sub-data packets, and wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet is transmitted after the first group of sub-data packetsand before the second group of sub-data packets, wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the second group of sub-datapackets is transmitted, wherein the data receiver may be configured toreceive the second group of sub-data packets using the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to combine anddecode the second group of sub-data packets to obtain the data.

In embodiments, a receive bandwidth of the data receiver may be smallerthan a bandwidth over which the plurality of sub-data packets aretransmitted distributed in the frequency channels of the frequency bandin correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patterns.

In embodiments, the data receiver may comprise a receive unit configuredto output hard-decision bits.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be a one-channel receiver able toreceive at the same time only on one frequency channel of a plurality offrequency channels of a frequency band, wherein the data receiver may beconfigured to switch between the frequency channels of the frequencyband in accordance with the information on the time/frequency hoppingpattern in order to receive the plurality of sub-data packetstransmitted on the respective frequency channels in correspondence withthe time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to monitor thesynchronization frequency channel to receive the synchronizationsub-data packet, the data receiver being configured to switch, afterreceiving the synchronization sub-data packet, between the frequencychannels of the frequency band in correspondence with the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets transmitted on the respective frequency channels incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may comprise asynchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronization sub-datapacket in a data receiver, wherein the data receiver may be configuredto detect the synchronization sub-data packet using a referencesynchronization sequence in a receive data stream.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive only(exclusively) the synchronization sub-data packet on the synchronizationfrequency channel.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet at a lower bandwidth than the pluralityof sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet using a different modulation type thanthe plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedat a different transmission power than the plurality of sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be provided witha different channel coding or with channel coding having a differenterror protection than the plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of a frequency band associated to the data transmitter andthe data receiver.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of different frequency bands.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedrepeatedly, wherein the data receiver may be configured to receive theplurality of sub-data packets based on at least one of the repeatedlyemitted synchronization sub-data packets or a combination of therepeatedly emitted synchronization sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmitteddivided onto at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets andat a time interval so that there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the synchronization partial sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive the atleast two synchronization partial sub-data packets on differentdedicated synchronization frequency channels.

In embodiments, the at least two synchronization partial sub-datapackets may be transmitted on the different dedicated synchronizationfrequency channels at different transmission powers.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive the atleast two synchronization partial sub-data packets within the bandwidthof the same synchronization frequency channel at different transmissionfrequencies.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be configured to receive andcombine the at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets toobtain the synchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, one of the at least two synchronization partial sub-datapackets may comprise a synchronization sequence, wherein a second one ofthe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted, wherein the data receivermay be configured to detect the first one of the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets using a referencesynchronization sequence in a receive data stream and to receive, basedon a known time/frequency interval between the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets, the at least one furthersynchronization partial sub-data packet to obtain the information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseactivation information using which a data receiver can establish whetherthe data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets aredestined for the data receiver, wherein the data receiver may beconfigured to establish, using the activation information, whether thedata transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets, aredestined for the data receiver and, in case the data are destined forthe data receiver, to receive the plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the activation information may be at least one of:

-   -   an indicator indicating whether the data are to be received;    -   address information of the data transmitter, or information        derived therefrom;    -   address information of a group of data transmitters which the        data transmitter is associated to, or information derived        therefrom;    -   address information of the data receiver, or information derived        therefrom; and    -   address information of a group of data receivers which the data        receiver is associated to, or information derived therefrom.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseconfiguration information for receiving the plurality of sub-datapackets, wherein the data receiver may be configured to receive theplurality of sub-data packets in correspondence with the configurationinformation.

In embodiments, the configuration information may be at least one of:

-   -   a data rate;    -   a channel code;    -   a code rate;    -   a modulation alphabet;    -   a modulation type;    -   a pilot sequence;    -   a frequency offset;    -   a time offset; and    -   a quartz tolerance.

In embodiments, the data receiver may be a data receiver which can onlyreceive data on one frequency channel at the same time.

Further embodiments provide a data receiver configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin a plurality of frequency channels in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets, wherein the data receiver is configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a synchronization frequency channelwhich is fixed relative to the frequency channels in which the pluralityof sub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern.

Further embodiments provide a repeater configured to receive datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern to obtain aplurality of received sub-data packets, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof sub-data packets, wherein the repeater is configured to emit the datarepeatedly by emitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets incorrespondence with a repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, whereinthere are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to emit the plurality ofreceived sub-data packets again sub-data packet by sub-data packet totransmit the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to combine and decode theplurality of received sub-data packets to obtain the data, wherein therepeater may be configured to re-encode the data and divide the sameonto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to combine and decode theplurality of received sub-data packets to obtain the data, wherein therepeater may be configured to re-encode the data and to divideinformation derived therefrom onto the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the data may be coded and distributed to the pluralityof sub-data packets such that, in the case of error-free transmission,only a first group of sub-data packets of the plurality of sub-datapackets is used for successfully decoding the data and such that, in thecase of erroneous decoding, an increased code gain is achieved by acombination of the first group of sub-data packets and a second group ofsub-data packets, wherein the repeater may be configured to decode thefirst group of received sub-data packets and, in case decoding wassuccessful, to re-encode the data and divide the same onto at least afirst group of repeated sub-data packets and emit the same beforereceiving a last sub-data packet of the plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to decode the first groupof received sub-data packets and, in case decoding was not successful,to combine and decode the first group of received sub-data packets withthe second group of received sub-data packets to obtain and re-encodethe data and divide the same onto the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to divide the data ontothe plurality of repeated sub-data packets such that a number ofrepeated sub-data packets is smaller than a number of the sub-datapackets or received sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to re-encode the data anddivide the same onto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets suchthat the plurality of sub-data packets and the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets are combinable with one another at least partly on thereceiver side to achieve a higher code gain.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to emit the plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with the repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern such that the time/frequency hoppingpattern and the repeated time/frequency hopping pattern result in acombined time/frequency hopping pattern which can be commonly receivedon the receiver side.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed (dedicated) synchronizationfrequency channel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to emit thesynchronization sub-data packet again or emit a newly generatedsynchronization sub-data packet on the fixed synchronization frequencychannel or another fixed synchronization frequency channel.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseactivation information using which the repeater is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are to be emitted repeatedly, wherein the repeater may beconfigured to establish, using the activation information, whether thedata transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are to beemitted repeatedly and, in case the data are emitted repeatedly, toreceive the plurality of sub-data packets and emit the same again usingthe plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the activation information may be at least one of:

-   -   an indicator indicating whether the data are to be received;    -   address information of the data transmitter, or information        derived therefrom;    -   address information of a group of data transmitters which the        data transmitter is associated to, or information derived        therefrom;    -   address information of the data receiver, or information derived        therefrom;    -   address information of a group of data receivers which the data        receiver is associated to, or information derived therefrom;    -   a counter indicating how often the data have already been        emitted repeatedly.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to update the activationinformation and to emit the updated activation information with thesynchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, the received time/frequency hopping pattern and therepeated time/frequency hopping pattern may be equal or different.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to emit the plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in a different frequency band than theplurality of received sub-data packets were received in.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted, wherein the repeater maybe configured to receive the plurality of sub-data packets using theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to extract theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern from at least one of:

-   -   a data field within the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted divided onto at        least two synchronization partial sub-data packets and        distributed over time and frequency;    -   a hopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter which the        synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedin a manner temporally synchronized to the plurality of sub-datapackets, wherein the repeater may be configured to receive the pluralityof sub-data packets in a manner temporally synchronized to thesynchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet temporally before the plurality ofsub-data packets.

In embodiments, the data may be channel-encoded and be divided onto theplurality of sub-data packets such that, in the case of a successfultransmission thereof, only a second group of sub-data packets is usedfor decoding the data and such that, in the case of an erroneoustransmission, a higher code gain can be achieved by a combination of afirst group of sub-data packets and the second group of sub-datapackets, wherein the first group of sub-data packets is transmittedtemporally before the second group of sub-data packets, and wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet is transmitted after the first group ofsub-data packets and before the second group of sub-data packets,wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the second group of sub-datapackets is transmitted, wherein the repeater may be configured toreceive the second group of sub-data packets using the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to combine and decode thesecond group of sub-data packets to obtain the data.

In embodiments, a receive bandwidth of the repeater may be smaller thana bandwidth over which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitteddistributed in the frequency channels of the frequency band incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the repeater may comprise a receive unit configured tooutput hard-decision bits.

In embodiments, the repeater may be a one-channel receiver which is ableto receive at the same time only on one frequency channel of a pluralityof frequency channels of a frequency band, wherein the repeater may beconfigured to switch between the frequency channels of the frequencyband in correspondence with the information on the time/frequencyhopping pattern to receive the plurality of sub-data packets transmittedon the respective frequency channels in accordance with thetime/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to monitor thesynchronization frequency channel to receive the synchronizationsub-data packet, wherein the repeater is configured to switch, afterreceiving the synchronization sub-data packet, between the frequencychannels of the frequency band in correspondence with the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets transmitted on the respective frequency channels incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may comprise asynchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronization sub-datapacket in a repeater, wherein the repeater may be configured to detectthe synchronization sub-data packet using a reference synchronizationsequence in a receive data stream.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive only(exclusively) the synchronization sub-data packet on the synchronizationfrequency channel.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet at a lower bandwidth than the pluralityof sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet using a different modulation type thanthe plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedat a different transmission power than the plurality of sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be provided witha different channel coding or with channel encoding having a differenterror protection than the plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of a frequency band associated to the data transmitter andthe repeater.

In embodiments, the synchronization frequency channel and the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted maybe channels of different frequency bands.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmittedrepeatedly, wherein the repeater may be configured to receive theplurality of sub-data packets based on at least one of the repeatedlyemitted synchronization sub-data packets or a combination of therepeatedly emitted synchronization sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may be transmitteddivided onto at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets andat a time interval so that there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the synchronization partial sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive the at leasttwo synchronization partial sub-data packets on different dedicatedsynchronization frequency channels.

In embodiments, the at least two synchronization partial sub-datapackets may be transmitted on the different dedicated synchronizationfrequency channels at different transmission powers.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive the at leasttwo synchronization partial sub-data packets within the bandwidth of thesame synchronization frequency channel at different transmissionfrequencies.

In embodiments, the repeater may be configured to receive and combinethe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packet to obtain thesynchronization sub-data packet.

In embodiments, one of the at least two synchronization partial sub-datapackets may comprise a synchronization sequence, wherein a second one ofthe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets may compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted, wherein the repeater maybe configured to detect the first one of the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets using a referencesynchronization sequence in a receive data stream and to receive, basedon a known time/frequency interval between the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets, the at least one furthersynchronization partial sub-data packet to obtain the information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseactivation information using which a repeater is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the repeater or data receiver, wherein therepeater may be configured to establish, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the repeater or data receiver and, incase the data are destined for the repeater or data receiver, to receivethe plurality of sub-data packets.

In embodiments, the activation information may be at least one of:

-   -   an indicator indicating whether the data are to be received;    -   address information of the data transmitter, or information        derived therefrom;    -   address information of a group of data transmitters which the        data transmitter is associated to, or information derived        therefrom;    -   address information of the data receiver, or information derived        therefrom; and    -   address information of a group of data receivers which the data        receiver is associated to, or information derived therefrom.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet may compriseconfiguration information for receiving the plurality of sub-datapackets, wherein the repeater may be configured to receive the pluralityof sub-data packets in correspondence with the configurationinformation.

In embodiments, the configuration information may be at least one of:

-   -   a data rate;    -   a channel code;    -   a code rate;    -   a modulation alphabet;    -   a modulation type;    -   a pilot sequence;    -   a frequency offset;    -   a time offset; and    -   a quartz tolerance.

In embodiments, the repeater may be a repeater which is able to receivedata at the same time only on one frequency channel.

Further embodiments provide a method for transmitting data. The methodcomprises a step of dividing the data onto a plurality of sub-datapackets. In addition, the method comprises a step of transmitting theplurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets. Additionally, the method comprises a step of transmitting asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed (dedicated) synchronizationfrequency channel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different.

Further embodiments provide a method for receiving data transmitteddivided onto a plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets. The method comprises a step of receiving theplurality of sub-data packets. In addition, the method comprises a stepof receiving a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixed (dedicated)synchronization frequency channel, wherein the synchronization frequencychannel and frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-datapackets are mainly transmitted in correspondence with the time/frequencyhopping pattern are different.

Further embodiments provide a method for repeatedly emitting datatransmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributedin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein thereare transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the sub-data packets. The method comprises a step of receivingthe plurality of sub-data packets. Furthermore, the method comprises astep of repeatedly emitting the data by emitting a plurality of repeatedsub-data packets in correspondence with a repeated time/frequencyhopping pattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.

Embodiments of the present invention allow the usage of one-channelreceivers (very cheap data receivers) and achieve the advantage of thecomparably large data transmission capacity of the TSMA method, causedby the usage of pseudo-random time/frequency hopping patterns.

Embodiments of the present invention thus allow avoiding thedisadvantages, mentioned above, of a relatively complicatedmulti-channel receiver (high bandwidth) and the high computing capacityentailed (correlation as regards all the theoretically possibletime/frequency hopping patterns) at the same time.

In embodiments, the first sub-data packet or a very early or any certainsub-data packet of the data transmission (1) can be transmitted on afixed, previously known frequency channel and (2) can containinformation on the (subsequently) used time/frequency hopping pattern.

In embodiments, this data packet is referred to as synchronizationsub-data packet.

In embodiments, the data carrier may be equipped with only a one-channelreceiver which (1) detects the synchronization sub-data packet emitted(at a point in time unknown to it) on the previously known frequencychannel, (2) establishes the contents thereof (i.e. obtains at least theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern used in the subsequentdata packets) and (3) subsequently receives the subsequent sub-datapackets in correspondence with the time-frequency hopping pattern andfeeds the same to further processing.

In embodiments, the data receiver can manage with less computingcomplexity since (1) it detects only the data packet emitted (at anunknown point in time), (2) establishes the contents thereof (i.e.obtains at least the information on the time-frequency hopping patternused in the subsequent sub-data packets) and (3) subsequently receivesthe subsequent sub-data packets in correspondence with thetime-frequency hopping pattern and feeds it to further processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequentlyreferring to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a message by means of Telegram SplittingMultiple Access (TSMA);

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a system having a datatransmitter and a data receiver;

FIG. 3 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a plurality of sub-data packets in accordancewith a time and frequency hopping pattern;

FIG. 4 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a plurality of sub-data packets distributed todifferent frequency channels in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern and transmitting a synchronization sub-data packet on afixed dedicated synchronization frequency channel in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 5 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a plurality of sub-data packets distributed todifferent frequency channels in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern and transmitting a synchronization sub-data packet on afixed dedicated synchronization frequency channel in accordance withanother embodiment; and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a system having a datatransmitter and a repeater and a transmission channel between the datatransmitter and the repeater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of embodiments of the present invention,same elements or elements having the same effect in the figures areprovided with the same reference numerals so that the descriptionthereof is mutually interchangeable.

Before describing embodiments of the present invention in detail, atfirst, exemplarily the communication system on which the invention isbased will be detailed referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. However, it is to bepointed out that the communication system discussed referring to FIGS. 2and 3 is illustrated and described only as an example and is notintended to be construed in a limiting manner. Rather, the communicationsystem is illustrated in a strongly abstract manner so as to easily andcomprehensibly discuss the underlying principles.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary communicationsystem having a data transmitter 100 and a data receiver 110.

The data transmitter 100 can be configured to divide data 120 (or a datapacket comprising the data 120) onto a plurality of sub-data packets 142and to transmit the plurality of sub-data packets 142 distributed overtime and/or frequency using a hopping pattern 140.

The data receiver 110 can be configured to receive the plurality ofsub-data packets 142 to obtain the data transmitted divided onto theplurality of sub-data packets and distributed over time and/or frequencyin correspondence with the hopping pattern 140.

As is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, the data transmitter 100 cancomprise transmitting means (or a transmitting module or transmitter)102 configured to transmit the data 120. The transmitting means 102 canbe connected to an antenna 104 of the data transmitter 100.Additionally, the data transmitter 100 can comprise receiving means (ora receive module or receiver) 106 configured to receive the data. Thereceiving means 106 can be connected to the antenna 104 or another(separate) antenna of the data transmitter 100. The data transmitter 100can also comprise a combined transmission/receive means (transceiver).

The data receiver 110 can comprise receiving means (or a receive moduleor receiver) 116 configured to receive the data 120. The receive means116 can be connected to an antenna 114 of the data receiver 110.Additionally, the data receiver 110 can comprise transmission means (ora transmission module or transmitter) 112 configured to transmit data.The transmission means 112 can be connected to the antenna 114 oranother (separate) antenna of the data receiver 110. The data receiver110 can also comprise a combined transmission/receive means(transceiver).

In embodiments, the data transmitter 100 can be a sensor node, whereasthe data receiver 110 can be a base station. Typically, a communicationsystem comprises at least one data receiver 110 (base station) and aplurality of data transmitters (sensor nodes, like heating meter). It isalso possible for the data transmitter 100 to be a base station, whereasthe data receiver 110 is a sensor node. Additionally, it is possible forboth the data transmitter 100 and the data receiver 110 to be sensornodes. It is also possible for both the data transmitter 100 and thedata receiver 110 to be base stations.

The data transmitter 100 and the data receiver 110 can be configured totransmit and/or receive the data 120 using the Telegram Splitting Method(TS method). Here, a telegram or data packet 120 is divided into aplurality of sub-data packets (or sub-packets) 142 and the sub-datapackets 142 are transmitted from the data transmitter 100 to the datareceiver 110 distributed over time and/or frequency in accordance withthe hopping pattern 140, wherein the data receiver 110 will assemble (orcombine) sub-data packets again to obtain the data packet 120. Thus, thesub-data packets 142 can each comprise only part of the data packet 120so that the sub-data packets each are shorter than the data packet 120.

In addition, the data packet 120 can be channel-encoded so that not allthe sub-data packets 142 are used for error-free decoding of the datapacket 120, but only a part of the sub-data packets 142.

The temporal distribution of the plurality of sub-data packets 142 can,as has already been mentioned, be performed in correspondence with atime and/or frequency hopping pattern.

A time hopping pattern can indicate a sequence of transmission points intime or transmission time intervals or distances (hops) using which thesub-data packets are transmitted. Exemplarily, a first sub-data packetcan be transmitted at a first transmission point in time (or in a firsttransmission time slot) and a second sub-data packet at a secondtransmission point in time (or in a second transmission time slot),wherein the first transmission point in time and the second transmissionpoint in time are different. The time hopping pattern can thus define(or predetermine or indicate) the first transmission point in time andthe second transmission point in time. Alternatively, the time hoppingpattern can indicate the first transmission point in time and a timeinterval between the first transmission point in time and the secondtransmission point in time. The time hopping pattern may also indicateonly the time interval between the first point in time and the secondtransmission point in time. There may be transmission intermissionswhere no transmission takes place, between the sub-data packets. Thesub-data packets can also be temporally overlapping (intersecting).

A frequency hopping pattern can indicate a sequence of transmissionfrequencies or transmission frequency hops using which the sub-datapackets are transmitted. Exemplarily, a first sub-data packet can betransmitted at a first transmission frequency (or in a first frequencychannel) and a second sub-data packet at a second transmission frequency(or in a second frequency channel), the first transmission frequency andthe second transmission frequency being different. Thus, the frequencyhopping pattern can define (or predetermine or indicate) the firsttransmission frequency and the second transmission frequency.Alternatively, the frequency hopping pattern can indicate the firsttransmission frequency and a frequency interval (transmission frequencyhop) between the first transmission frequency and the secondtransmission frequency. The frequency hopping pattern may also indicateonly the frequency interval (transmission frequency hop) between thefirst transmission frequency and the second transmission frequency.Additionally, the frequency hopping pattern can indicate the frequencychannels or a sequence of frequency channels in which the sub-datapackets are transmitted.

The plurality of sub-data packets 142 can also be transmitted from thedata transmitter 100 to the data receiver 110 in a way distributed overboth time and frequency. The distribution of the plurality of sub-datapackets over time and frequency can be performed in correspondence witha time and frequency hopping pattern. A time and frequency hoppingpattern can be the combination of a time hopping pattern and a frequencyhopping pattern, i.e. a sequence of transmission points in time ortransmission time intervals with which the sub-data packets aretransmitted, wherein transmission frequencies (or transmission frequencyhops) are associated to the transmission points in time (or transmissiontime intervals).

The time and/or frequency hopping pattern can comprise a plurality ofhops, wherein the plurality of hops each indicate a transmission pointin time and/or a transmission frequency (or a transmission time hop ortransmission frequency hop) in accordance with which the plurality ofsub-data packets 142 can be transmitted.

FIG. 3 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel when transmitting a plurality of sub-data packets 142 incorrespondence with a time and frequency hopping pattern. Thus, theordinate describes the frequency and the abscissa describes time.

As can be recognized in FIG. 3, the data packet 120 can exemplarily bedivided onto n=7 sub-data packets 142 and correspondingly be transmittedfrom the data transmitter 100 to the data receiver 110 distributed overtime and frequency in correspondence with a time and frequency hoppingpattern.

As can also be recognized in FIG. 3, a synchronization sequence 144 canalso be divided onto the plurality of sub-data packets 142 so that theplurality of sub-data packets 142 each contain a part of thesynchronization sequence (synchronization symbols in FIG. 3) 144, apartfrom data (data symbols in FIG. 3) 146.

Detailed embodiments of the data transmitter 100 and the data receiver110 will be described below in greater detail.

1. TSMA Method with Synchronization Sub-Data Packet

In embodiments, the data transmitter 100 can be configured to transmitor send a synchronization sub-data packet 160 on a fixed dedicatedsynchronization frequency channel 162, wherein the fixed dedicatedsynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels 164 in whichthe plurality of sub-data packets 142 are transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 are different, as is shownin FIG. 4.

In embodiments, the data receiver 110 can be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet 160 on a fixed dedicated synchronizationfrequency channel 162, wherein the fixed dedicated synchronizationfrequency channel and the frequency channels 164 in which the pluralityof sub-data packets 142 are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern 140 are different, as is shown in FIG. 4.

In detail, FIG. 4 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of thetransmission channel between the data transmitter 100 and data receiver110 when transmitting a plurality of sub-data packets 142 distributed intime and to different frequency channels 164 in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern 140 and transmitting a synchronizationsub-data packet 160 on a fixed dedicated synchronization frequencychannel 162 in accordance with an embodiment.

As can be recognized in FIG. 4, in embodiments, the synchronizationsub-data packet 160 can exemplarily be transmitted temporally before theplurality of sub-data packets 142.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can compriseinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 with which theplurality of sub-data packets 142 are transmitted. Thus, the datareceiver 110 can be configured to receiver the plurality of sub-datapackets 142 using the information on the time/frequency hopping pattern142.

Exemplarily, the information on the time/frequency hopping pattern canbe the time/frequency hopping pattern itself, like transmission pointsin time (or transmission time intervals), and corresponding frequencychannels (or frequency channel hops) of the plurality of sub-datapackets, based on which the data receiver 110 can receive the pluralityof sub-data packets 142 or localize the same in a receive data stream.

The information on the time/frequency hopping pattern can of course alsobe information derived from the time/frequency hopping pattern, based onwhich the data receiver 110 is able to establish the time/frequencyhopping pattern.

Additionally, it is possible for the time/frequency hopping pattern 140to be already known to the data receiver 110. In this case, theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern can exemplarily be apoint in time and/or a frequency channel at which transmission of theplurality of sub-data packets 142 in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern 140 starts. In addition, the informationon the time/frequency hopping pattern can exemplarily be a time intervalor frequency channel interval between the synchronization sub-datapacket 160 and the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 or one of thesub-data packets (like the first sub-data packet).

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can comprise theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 in at least oneof:

-   -   a data field within the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   at least a part of error protection data;    -   at least a part of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing        the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver;    -   a hopping pattern in correspondence with which the        synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted divided onto at        least two synchronization partial sub-data packets and        distributed over time and frequency;    -   a hopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet and a repeated emission of the synchronization        sub-data packet;    -   a data rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a channel code of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a frequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet;    -   a time offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; and    -   a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter which the        synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can, instead ofon a fixed dedicated synchronization frequency channel, also betransmitted on a synchronization frequency channel 162 fixed relative tothe frequency channels 164 in which the plurality of sub-data packets142 are transmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hoppingpattern 140.

In other words, the synchronization frequency channel 162 can also befixed relative to the remaining hopping pattern 140, but not in adedicated channel irrespective thereof. In the dual-band mode, forexample, where synchronization is emitted with no repetitions on twodifferent channels (receiver can either monitor one channel only or hasto receive both in parallel). This means that is it possible that eitherthe dedicated channel is used or transmission takes place relatively tothe remaining hopping pattern.

FIG. 5 shows, in a diagram, an exemplary occupancy of the transmissionchannel between the data transmitter 100 and the data receiver 110 whentransmitting a plurality of sub-data packets 142 distributed todifferent frequency channels 164 and over time in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern 140 and transmitting a synchronizationsub-data packet 160 on a fixed dedicated synchronization frequencychannel 162 in accordance with another embodiment.

In embodiments, the data transmitter 100 can be configured to subjectthe data to channel coding and divide the same onto the plurality ofsub-data packets 142 such that only a second group 172 of sub-datapackets 142 is, when successfully transmitting the same, used fordecoding the data and such that, in the case of an erroneoustransmission, higher a code gain is achieved by combining a first group170 of sub-data packets and the second group 172 of sub-data packets.The data transmitter 100 can be configured to transmit the first group170 of sub-data packets 142 temporally before the second group 172 ofsub-data packets 142, wherein the data transmitter 100 can be configuredto transmit the synchronization sub-data packet 160 after the firstgroup 170 of sub-data packets 142 and before the second group 172 ofsub-data packets 142, wherein the synchronization sub-data packet 160comprises information on the time/frequency hopping pattern with whichthe second group 172 of sub-data packets 142 is transmitted.

In embodiments, the data receiver 110 can be configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet 160 on a dedicated fixed synchronizationfrequency channel 162 to obtain the information on the time/frequencyhopping pattern and to receive the second group 172 of sub-data packets142 using the information on the time/frequency hopping pattern 140.

In addition, the data receiver can be configured to combine and decodethe second group of sub-data packets to obtain the data.

In embodiments, the data receiver 110 can be a cheap data receiver 110.

Exemplarily, a receive bandwidth of the data receiver 110 can be smallerthan a bandwidth over which the plurality of sub-data packets 142 aretransmitted distributed in the frequency channels of the frequency bandin correspondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern 140.

Exemplarily, the data receiver 110 can be a one-channel receiver whichis able to receive only on one frequency channel of the plurality offrequency channels of the frequency band 166 at the same time. Thus, thedata receiver 110 can be configured to monitor the synchronizationfrequency channel 162 to receive the synchronization sub-data packet 160and to switch, after receiving the synchronization sub-data packet 160,between the frequency channels 164 of the frequency band 166 incorrespondence with the information on the time/frequency hoppingpattern 140 to receive the plurality of sub-data packets 142 transmittedon the respective frequency channels in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern 140.

In embodiments, due to the synchronization sub-data packet 160, areceiver can be used which has a lower computing capacity or the receivebandwidth of which is smaller than the bandwidth of the telegramsplitting signal. Here, the receiver switches the carrier frequencieswhen receiving the telegram splitting signal.

In embodiments, the data receiver 110 (or a radio chip (receive unit) ofthe data receiver) can be a so-called hard-decision receiver configuredto provide hard-decision bits. This means that the data receiver 110 isnot able to perform a partial extraction of a frequency channel of thefrequency band from the entire receive data stream. Rather, the datareceiver can receive only on one frequency channel at the same time.

In embodiments, a so-called low-performance receiver can be used. Ituses (for example exclusively) the synchronization sub-data packet 160for detecting the telegrams. Here, less bandwidth is used for detectionand the receiver can become cheaper. If a synchronization sub-datapacket 160 is received, the receiver will switch its carrier frequencyin between the subsequent sub-data packets in correspondence with thesignalized time/frequency hopping pattern to be able to receive thetelegram.

A so-called high-performance receiver, in contrast, does not use thesynchronization sub-data packet, or only as additional information fordetecting the telegrams (or plurality of sub-data packets 142). Here,higher a detection probability is achieved, but a receiver which ispermanently able to receive the signal in full bandwidth is used.

Further embodiments will be described below.

In embodiments, a TSMA method with first placing a first sub-data packet(synchronization sub-data packet 160) on a frequency channel 162 knownbefore to the receiver 110 in which the time/frequency hopping pattern140 of subsequent sub-data packets 142 is transmitted, can be used.

In embodiments, in a TSMA-based transmission system for transmittingdata packets 142, a synchronization sub-data packet 160 can betransmitted on a frequency channel 162 known before to the receiver 110,which contains information on the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 of(subsequent) sub-data packets 142.

In embodiments, emitting the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can beperformed on a fixed frequency channel 162 (not just “known before”) oronly on fewer channels than usually used.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can comprise asynchronization sequence which allows time, frequency and phasesynchronization and detection of the synchronization sub-data packet forthe receiver 110.

In embodiments, optionally, in order to minimize interferences by otherparticipants, the frequency channel 162 on which the synchronizationsub-data packet 160 is transmitted may not be used for transmittingfurther (subsequent) sub-data packets 142 (not even by otherparticipants).

In embodiments, the bandwidth of the frequency channel 162 for thesynchronization sub-data packet 160 can deviate from the bandwidth ofthe frequency channels 164 of the subsequent sub-data packets 142. Inparticular, lower a bandwidth than the available receiver bandwidth canbe selected for transmitting the synchronization sub-data packet 160 toconsider potential deviations in the transmission frequency of thetransmitters (oscillator imprecision).

In embodiments, another modulation type which is easier and, may be,more tolerant to frequency offset, like a spreading method, for example,can be used for the synchronization sub-data packet 160.

In embodiments, transmission duration, transmission power, modulationalphabet, modulation type, pilot sequence (synchronization sequence) andcoding protection and coding type for the synchronization sub-datapacket 160 can deviate from the corresponding features of subsequentsub-data packets 142.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can betransmitted at an increased transmission power and/or increased codingprotection.

In embodiments, the synchronization sub-data packet 160 can betransmitted in a different frequency band than the other sub-datapackets 142. This means that transmission can, for example, take placein a frequency band in which higher a power is allowed for the emission,but which is too narrow-banded to offer the overall transmissioncapacity strived for.

In embodiments, the first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-datapacket 160) can be repeated once or several times before emitting thesubsequent data packets 142 in order to increase the receive probability(number and interval between the repetitions are known to the receiver).

In embodiments, the first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-datapacket 160) can be divided into several partial sub-data packets.

The first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-data packet 160) in turncan be divided onto several partial sub-data packets (TSMA principle),wherein there may be transmission intermissions of different lengthsbetween the partial sub-data packets (pure time hopping pattern). Thepartial sub-data packets can, within the bandwidth of the associatedfrequency channel, contain frequency hopping patterns also known beforein the receiver, in addition to the time hopping patterns mentioned.

In the case of dividing (or splitting) the first sub-data packet(synchronization sub-data packet 160) into several partial sub-datapackets, emitting the partial sub-data packets can be performed not onlyon different sub-frequencies within the frequency channel provided forsynchronization sub-data packets, but also on different frequencychannels. A first partial sub-data packet can exemplarily be emitted ina frequency band or frequency channel of higher a reliable transmissionpower so that the detection probability of the receiver 110 is improved.Emitting the first partial sub-data packet (synchronization sub-datapacket 160) can be performed using a fixed waveform known before, i.e.still without transmitter-specific information.

2. Activation Information in Synchronization Sub-Data Packet

During the time in which a one-channel data receiver, in a TSMA-basedtransmission system, completely receives a message with a time-frequencyhopping pattern (i.e. “follows” the hopping pattern), receiving on otherfrequency channels than that selected at present is not possible. Thus,the receiver 110 is prevented from receiving data packets of othertransmitters during this time, which is of disadvantage in case the datapacket received at this moment is irrelevant for the receiver.

In order to ensure, at the earliest possible point in time, that atransmitted data packet is really relevant for the receiver 110,“activation information” is transmitted in a first synchronizationsub-data packet (synchronization sub-data packet 160) or one transmittedat an early time, in addition to information on the time-frequencyhopping pattern. The information serves for the receiver 110 fordeciding whether the subsequent sub-data packets 142 of the transmitter100 are received or ignored (so that it can remain ready for receivingsynchronization sub-data packets 160 of other transmitters). Thisincreases the readiness to receive significantly.

The activation information of the first sub-data packet (synchronizationsub-data packet 160) may exhibit the following characteristics:

-   -   general information, like a general indicator (flag), of whether        the subsequent sub-data packets are to be received;    -   transmitter-specific information, the transmitter can, for        example, transfer explicit information on its identity (like        transmitter ID);    -   transmitter group-specific information, a transmitter can, for        example, transfer information on its belonging to a certain        group of transmitters/participants (like transmitter group ID);    -   transmitter-specific or transmitter group-specific information        by means of a hash function, the transmitter can, for example,        transfer a hash on its transmitter ID.

Only if the characteristics mentioned above match with a correspondinglist stored in the data receiver 110, will the data packets be receivedcompletely and will, if applicable, further activities be triggered (seeexposition of “repeater” in the next section).

In an equivalent way, the activation information can be implemented suchthat only a certain individual receiver or group of receivers isaddressed.

A combination of transmitter and receiver-specific information can alsobe transmitted so that an association between transmitters ortransmitter groups and receivers or receiver groups can be performed.

In the first sub-data packet (or synchronization sub-data packet 160),apart from the activation information, further additional informationmay be contained which configure the subsequent TSMA-based transmission:

-   -   a data rate    -   a channel code and code rate    -   a modulation alphabet or modulation type    -   a pilot sequence    -   information on frequency offset and/or time offset    -   a quartz tolerances        3. Repeater Functionality

In embodiments, the data receiver 110 can be a repeater 110 configuredto receive data transmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets142 and distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hoppingpattern 140 to obtain a plurality of sub-data packets received, whereinthere are transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the repeater 110 canbe configured to emit the data repeatedly by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof repeated sub-data packets.

In other words, the data receiver 110 can have the function of a“repeater” which renders and re-sends data received from an originaldata transmitter 100. This may be entailed when the signal of the datatransmitter 100 does no longer arrive at the actual data receiver withthe intensity entailed for error-free reception.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a system having a datatransmitter 100 and a repeater 110, and a transmission channel 111between the data transmitter 100 and the repeater 110. In other words,FIG. 6 shows the basic repeater function. Here, a signal 602 istransmitted by the data transmitter 100 and the information contained inthe transmitted data 601 is recovered, rendered and re-sent based on thesignal 603 received by the repeater (forwarded signal 604).

Potential ways of functioning of the repeater 110 in a TSMA-basedtransmission will be described below.

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can be configured to re-emit theplurality of received sub-data packets 142 sub-data packet aftersub-data packet to transmit the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In other words, in embodiments, the data of the sub-data packets 142 canbe repeated sub-data packet after sub-data packet (i.e. sub-data packetby sub-data packet). Decoding the entire data packet (which istransmitted distributed to the plurality of sub-data packets 142) is notrequired here. The minimum delay introduced by the repeater 110 is theduration of the respective sub-data packet 142 received individually anddemodulated by the repeater 110. A new transmission signal is generatedby modulation in the repeater 110 based on the estimated receivesymbols. The repeater 110 here does not necessarily have to decode thecontents of the entire data packet.

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can be configured to combine and decodethe plurality of sub-data packets 142 received to obtain the data, andto re-encode the data and divide the same onto the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets.

In other words, in embodiments, the repeater 110 may only start emittingthe sub-data packets (repeated plurality of sub-data packets) afterhaving received all the sub-data packets 142 of the data transmitter 100and decoding the entire data packet (which is transmitted distributed tothe plurality of sub-data packets 142). The minimum delay introduced bythe repeater 110 is the duration of the entire data packet or at leastthe duration of the number of sub-data packets which are used at leastfor successful decoding. The repeater 110 decodes the data transmittedcompletely and generates a new transmission signal based thereon byencoding again and modulating.

In embodiments, the data can be coded and distributed to the pluralityof sub-data packets 142 such that, in the case of an error-freetransmission, only a first group of sub-data packets of the plurality ofsub-data packets 142 is used for successfully decoding the data and suchthat, in the case of an erroneous decoding, a higher code gain isachieved by combining the first group of sub-data packets 142 and asecond group of sub-data packets 142. In this case, the repeater 110 canbe configured to decode the first group of sub-data packets 142 receivedand to re-encode the data in the case of successful decoding and todivide the same at least onto a first group of repeated sub-data packetsand emit the same before having received a last sub-data packet of theplurality of sub-data packets 142.

In other words, in embodiments, the message (transmitted distributed tothe plurality of sub-data packets 142) can be decoded already beforereceiving part of the sub-data packet 142, for example with goodreceiving conditions. This can be made use of by the repeater 110 toemit the remaining sub-data packets 142 of the initial emission in a waysuperimposed with the repeater signal. This allows reducing channeloccupancy since the channel is superimposed partly by both emissions.After the superimposed emission of the remaining sub-data packets,optionally the sub-data packets received and decoded by the repeater 110can be emitted.

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can be configured to combine and decodethe plurality of sub-data packets 142 received to obtain the data, andto re-encode the data and divide information derived therefrom onto theplurality of repeated sub-data packets.

In other words, in embodiments, information on the received symbols canbe generated and passed on, i.e. not the reconstructed symbols of thesub-data packets or the entire decoded telegram, but other informationderived from the received symbols (like “Compress and Forward”).

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can be configured to re-encode the dataand divide the same onto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets suchthat the plurality of sub-data packets 142 and the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets can be combined among one another at least partly onthe receiver side to achieve higher a code gain. In addition, therepeater 110 can be configured to emit the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets in correspondence with the repeated time/frequencyhopping pattern such that the time/frequency hopping pattern 140 and therepeated time/frequency hopping pattern result in a combinedtime/frequency hopping pattern which can be commonly received on thereceiver side.

In other words, the repeated sub-data packets can be emitted such that,taken together with the original emission (i.e. the plurality ofsub-data packets), they result again in a hopping pattern. This allowsproviding an original emission which the repeater 110 has received, withadditional parity information, when assuming that a usable part of theoriginal emission still reaches the data receiver.

In contrast to the actual receiver of the data (like a base station),the repeater 110 does not necessarily have to repeat all or the majorityof the signals received, but particularly the signals of thattransmitters which do not reach the actual data receiver with anintensity used for an error-free transmission. Here, the “activationinformation” (see section 2) is of crucial importance, since they allowthe repeater 110 to repeat only the signals of certain data transmittersand consequently do not impose an unnecessary load on the entire system.

3.1 Basic Function

In embodiments, a repeater 110 can receive the subsequent sub-datapackets based on the information on the time/frequency hopping pattern140 transmitted in the first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-datapacket 160). Only a one-channel receiver is used here (reducedcomplexity, cost reduction), which is adjusted to the respectivefrequency channels used in accordance with the hopping pattern.

In embodiments, the repeater can receive the signal belonging to asub-data packet, demodulate the same and estimate the symbols containedtherein and generate a new transmission signal based on the estimatedsymbols. This signal can be transmitted as a sub-data packet (delayed intime) (variation of low a latency time), without entailingcross-sub-data packet processing (like decoding the entire data packet).

In embodiments, the repeater can receive all or the plurality of thesignal sequences belonging to an entire data packet, estimate from thisall or the plurality of the receive symbols belonging to the data packetand decode the entire data packet. In the case of successful decoding,the source data present of the transmitter are re-encoded and modulated.A corresponding data packet consisting of a plurality of sub-datapackets can be transmitted (delayed in time) (variation of higherlatency time, but improved receive security). If a data packet is notdecoded correctly, no emission by the repeater will take place.

In embodiments, the receiver can transmit the sub-data packets using thesame or a different time/frequency hopping pattern than the datatransmitter.

In embodiments, the repeater 110 may not emit all the sub-data packetsagain, but only part of the sub-data packets (load reduction in the caseof good receive conditions).

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can emit the first sub-data packet(synchronization sub-data packet 160) on a different frequency channelthan the data transmitter.

In embodiments, the repeater 100 may not emit the first sub-data packet(synchronization sub-data packet 160), but the subsequent sub-datapackets.

In embodiments, the repeater can modify the information of the firstsub-data packet before emitting the same (see section 3, embodimentincluding the “repetition flag/counter”).

In embodiments, the repeater can emit the sub-data packets 142 in adifferent frequency band than the data transmitter.

3.2 Activation/Control of the Repeater Function

In embodiments, in analogy to section 2, the activation informationcontained in the first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-data packet160) can be used for deciding whether the repeater 110 emits the datapacket received or not.

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can thus be configured such that onlythe packets (data packet transmitted divided onto the plurality ofsub-data packets 142) of selected individual transmitters (datatransmitter 100) or a defined group of transmitters are repeated by therepeater 110.

In embodiments, the first sub-data packet (synchronization sub-datapacket 160) can additionally contain information as to whether and howoften the entire packet (data packet transmitted divided onto theplurality of sub-data packets 142) has already been repeated. If apacket is repeated by a repeater, the respective information will bemodified correspondingly in the first sub-data packet (synchronizationsub-data packet 160).

In embodiments, the repeater 110 can make a list of receivabletransmitters using the information in the first sub-data packet(synchronization sub-data packet 160). The list is made using thetransmitter ID, transmitter group ID or a hash function (see section 2)and transferred to a control unit (like base station). Using theinformation, the control unit communicates to the receiver for whichdata transmitters the packets transmitted are to be repeated.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, itis clear that these aspects also represent a description of thecorresponding method such that a block or element of a device alsocorresponds to a respective method step or a feature of a method step.Analogously, aspects described in the context of or as a method stepalso represent a description of a corresponding block or item or featureof a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may beexecuted by (or using) a hardware apparatus, like, for example, amicroprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. Insome embodiments, some or several of the most important method steps maybe executed by such an apparatus.

An inventively encoded signal, like an audio signal or a video signal ora transport stream signal, for example, can be stored on a digitalstorage medium or can be transferred on a transmission medium, like awireless transmission medium or a wired transmission medium, like theInternet, for example.

The inventively encoded audio signal can be stored on a digital storagemedium or can be transferred on a transmission medium, like a wirelesstransmission medium or a wired transmission medium, like the Internet,for example.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of theinvention can be implemented in hardware or in software. Theimplementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, forexample a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray disc, a CD, an ROM, a PROM, anEPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard drive or another magnetic oroptical memory having electronically readable control signals storedthereon, which cooperate or are capable of cooperating with aprogrammable computer system such that the respective method isperformed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may becomputer-readable.

Some embodiments according to the invention include a data carriercomprising electronically readable control signals, which are capable ofcooperating with a programmable computer system such that one of themethods described herein is performed.

Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as acomputer program product with a program code, the program code beingoperative for performing one of the methods when the computer programproduct runs on a computer.

The program code may, for example, be stored on a machine-readablecarrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored ona machine-readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is a computerprogram comprising a program code for performing one of the methodsdescribed herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

Another embodiment of the inventive method consequently is a datacarrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium)which the computer program for performing one of the methods describedherein is recorded on. The data carrier, the digital storage medium orthe computer-readable medium are typically objective and/ornon-transient or non-transitional.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is a data stream or asequence of signals representing the computer program for performing oneof the methods described herein.

The data stream or the sequence of signals may, for example, beconfigured to be transferred via a data communication connection, forexample via the Internet.

A further embodiment comprises processing means, for example a computer,or a programmable logic device, configured or adapted to perform one ofthe methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon thecomputer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or asystem configured to transfer a computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein to a receiver. The transmission can beperformed electronically or optically, for example. The receiver may,for example, be a computer, a mobile device, a memory device or thelike. The device or system may, for example, comprise a file server fortransferring the computer program to the receiver.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example afield-programmable gate array, FPGA) may be used to perform some or allof the functionalities of the methods described herein. In someembodiments, a field-programmable gate array may cooperate with amicroprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein.Generally, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by anyhardware device. This can be universally applicable hardware, such as acomputer processor (CPU), or hardware specific for the method, such asASIC.

The devices described herein may be implemented exemplarily using ahardware apparatus or using a computer or using a combination of ahardware apparatus and a computer.

The devices described herein, or any components of the devices describedherein, may be implemented at least partly in hardware and/or insoftware (computer program).

The methods described herein may exemplarily be implemented using ahardware apparatus or using a computer or using a combination of ahardware apparatus and a computer.

The methods described herein, or any components of the methods describedherein, may be executed at least partly by hardware and/or by software.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which will beapparent to others skilled in the art and which fall within the scope ofthis invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternativeways of implementing the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claimsbe interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, andequivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data transmitter configured to dividedata onto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit at least apart of the plurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondencewith a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; the data transmitter being configured to transmit asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprisesactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver.
 2. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronization sub-data packetcomprises activation information using which the data receiver is ableto establish whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver and provided forfurther processing in the data receiver.
 3. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 2, wherein the synchronization sub-data packetcomprises information on the time/frequency hopping pattern.
 4. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 3, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet comprises the information on the time/frequency hoppingpattern in at least one of: a data field within the synchronizationsub-data packet; at least a part of error protection data; at least apart of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronizationsub-data packet in a data receiver; a hopping pattern in correspondencewith which the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted dividedonto at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets anddistributed over time and frequencies; a hopping pattern between theemission of the synchronization sub-data packet and a repeated emissionof the synchronization sub-data packet; a data rate of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a channel code of the synchronizationsub-data packet; a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet; amodulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet; a modulationtype of the synchronization sub-data packet; a frequency offset of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a time offset of the synchronizationsub-data packet; and a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter whichthe synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.
 5. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet is transmitted in a manner temporally synchronized tothe plurality of sub-data packets.
 6. The data transmitter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the data transmitter is configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet temporally before the plurality ofsub-data packets.
 7. The data transmitter in accordance with claim 1,wherein the data transmitter is configured to channel-encode the dataand to divide the same onto the plurality of sub-data packets such that,in the case of a successful transmission thereof, only a second group ofsub-data packets is used for decoding the data and such that, in thecase of an erroneous transmission, a higher code gain is achieved by acombination of a first group of sub-data packets and the second group ofsub-data packets; the data transmitter being configured to transmit thefirst group of sub-data packets temporally before the second group ofsub-data packets, and the data transmitter being configured to transmitthe synchronization sub-data packet after the first group of sub-datapackets and before the second group of sub-data packets.
 8. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data transmitter isconfigured to transmit the synchronization sub-data packet instead of asub-data packet of the plurality of sub-data packets.
 9. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet is one among the plurality of sub-data packets.
 10. Thedata transmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet comprises a synchronization sequence for synchronizingthe synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver.
 11. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, the data transmitter beingconfigured to transmit only the synchronization sub-data packet in thesynchronization frequency channel.
 12. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, the data transmitter being configured totransmit the synchronization sub-data packet at a different bandwidththan the plurality of sub-data packets.
 13. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, the data transmitter being configured totransmit the synchronization sub-data packet at a different symbol ratethan the plurality of sub-data packets.
 14. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, the data transmitter being configured totransmit the synchronization sub-data packet at a different modulationtype than the plurality of sub-data packets.
 15. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, the data transmitter being configured totransmit the synchronization sub-data packet with a differenttransmission power than die plurality of sub-data packets.
 16. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, the data transmitter beingconfigured to provide the synchronization sub-data packet with adifferent channel coding or with channel coding with a different errorprotection than the plurality of sub-data packets.
 17. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronizationfrequency channel and the frequency channels in which the plurality ofsub-data packets are transmitted are channels of a frequency band whichis associated to the data transmitter.
 18. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronization frequency channeland the frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packetsare transmitted are channels of different frequency bands.
 19. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, the data transmitter beingconfigured to repeatedly emit the synchronization sub-data packet. 20.The data transmitter in accordance with claim 1, the data transmitterbeing configured to divide the synchronization sub-data packet onto atleast two synchronization partial sub-data packets and transit the sameat a time interval so that there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the synchronization partial sub-datapackets.
 21. The data transmitter in accordance with claim 20, the datatransmitter being configured to transmit the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets in different dedicatedsynchronization frequency channels.
 22. The data transmitter inaccordance claim 21, the data transmitter being configured to transmitthe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets in thedifferent dedicated synchronization frequency channels at differenttransmission powers.
 23. The data transmitter in accordance with claim20, the data transmitter being configured to transmit the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets within the bandwidth of thesame synchronization frequency channel at different transmissionfrequencies.
 24. The data transmitter in accordance with claim 20,wherein one of the at least two synchronization partial sub-data packetscomprises a synchronization sequence, and wherein a second one of the atleast two synchronization partial sub-data packets comprises informationon the time/frequency hopping pattern with which the plurality ofsub-data packets are transmitted.
 25. The data transmitter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the activation information is at least one of: anindicator indicating whether the data are to be received; addressinformation of the data transmitter, or information derived therefrom;address information of a group of data transmitters which the datatransmitter is associated to, or information derived therefrom; addressinformation of the data receiver, or information derived therefrom; andaddress information of a group of data receivers which the data receiveris associated to, or information derived therefrom.
 26. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet comprises configuration information for receiving theplurality of sub-data packets.
 27. The data transmitter in accordancewith claim 26, wherein the configuration information is at least one of:a data rate; a channel code; a code rate; a modulation alphabet; amodulation type; a pilot sequence; a frequency offset; a time offset;and a quartz tolerance.
 28. A system comprising: a data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1; and the data receiver, wherein the datareceiver is configured to receive data transmitted divided onto aplurality of sub-data packets and distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; the data receiver being configured to receive a synchronizationsub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequency channel; whereinthe synchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in whichthe plurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern are different;wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprises activationinformation using which the data receiver is able to establish whetherthe data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets aredestined for the data receiver; wherein the data receiver is configuredto establish, using the activation information, whether the datatransmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are destinedfor the data receiver and, in case the data are destined for the datareceiver, to receive the plurality of sub-data packets; and/or arepeater configured to receive data transmitted divided onto a pluralityof sub-data packets and distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern to acquire a plurality of receivedsub-data packets, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of sub-data packets; therepeater being configured to receive a synchronization sub-data packeton a fixed synchronization frequency channel; wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises activation information usingwhich the repeater is able to establish whether the data transmitted bymeans of the plurality of sub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly;wherein the repeater is configured to establish, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly and, in case the data areto be emitted repeatedly, to receive the plurality of sub-data packets;wherein the repeater is configured, in case the data are to be emittedrepeatedly, to emit the data repeatedly by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof repeated sub-data packets.
 29. A data transmitter configured todivide data onto a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit theplurality of sub-data packets distributed in a plurality of frequencychannels in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern,wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the sub-data packets; the data transmitter beingconfigured to transmit a synchronization sub-data packet on asynchronization frequency channel fixed relative to the frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises activation information usingwhich a data receiver is able to establish whether the data transmittedby means of the plurality of sub-data packets are destined for the datareceiver.
 30. The data transmitter in accordance with claim 29, whereinthe synchronization sub-data packet comprises activation informationusing which the data receiver is able to establish whether the datatransmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are destinedfor the data receiver and provided for further processing in the datareceiver.
 31. A data receiver configured to receive data transmitteddivided onto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets; the data receiver being configured to receive asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel; wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprisesactivation information using which the data receiver is able toestablish whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; wherein the datareceiver is configured to establish, using the activation information,whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver and, in case the data aredestined for the data receiver, to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets.
 32. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the plurality of sub-datapackets are transmitted; the data receiver being configured to receivethe plurality of sub-data packets using the information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern.
 33. The data receiver in accordance withclaim 32, the data receiver being configured to extract the informationon the time/frequency hopping pattern from at least one of: a data fieldwithin the synchronization sub-data packet; at least a part of errorprotection data; at least a part of a synchronization sequence forsynchronizing the synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver; ahopping pattern in correspondence with which the synchronizationsub-data packet is transmitted divided onto at least two synchronizationpartial sub-data packets and distributed over time and frequencies; ahopping pattern between the emission of the synchronization sub-datapacket and a repeated emission of the synchronization sub-data packet; adata rate of the synchronization sub-data packet; a channel code of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a code rate of the synchronizationsub-data packet; a modulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-datapacket; a modulation type of the synchronization sub-data packet; afrequency offset of the synchronization sub-data packet; a time offsetof the synchronization sub-data packet; and a quartz tolerance of thedata transmitter which the synchronization sub-data packet is dependenton.
 34. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet is transmitted in a temporallysynchronized manner to the plurality of sub-data packets; the datareceiver being configured to receive the plurality of sub-data packetsin a manner temporally synchronized to the synchronization sub-datapacket.
 35. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, the datareceiver being configured to receive the synchronization sub-data packettemporally before the plurality of sub-data packets.
 36. The datareceiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein the data are channel-codedand divided onto the plurality of sub-data packets such that, in thecase of a successful transmission thereof, only a second group ofsub-data packets is used for decoding the data, and such that, in thecase of an erroneous transmission, a higher code gain is achieved bycombining a first group of sub-data packets and the second group ofsub-data packets; wherein the first group of sub-data packets istransmitted temporally before the second group of sub-data packets, andwherein the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted after thefirst group of sub-data packets and before the second group of sub-datapackets; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprisesinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern with which the secondgroup of sub-data packets is transmitted; wherein the data receiver isconfigured to receive the second group of sub-data packets using theinformation on the time/frequency hopping pattern.
 37. The data receiverin accordance with claim 36, the data receiver being configured tocombine and decode the second group of sub-data packets to acquire thedata.
 38. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein areceive bandwidth of the data receiver is smaller than a bandwidth overwhich the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted distributed inthe frequency channels of the frequency band in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern.
 39. The data receiver in accordance withclaim 31, the data receiver comprising a receive unit configured tooutput hard-decision bits.
 40. The data receiver in accordance withclaim 32, the data receiver being a one-channel receiver able to receiveat the same time only on one frequency channel of a plurality offrequency channels of a frequency band; the data receiver beingconfigured to switch between the frequency channels of the frequencyband in accordance with the information on the time/frequency hoppingpattern in order to receive the plurality of sub-data packetstransmitted on the respective frequency channels in correspondence withthe time/frequency hopping pattern.
 41. The data receiver in accordancewith claim 40, the data receiver being configured to monitor thesynchronization frequency channel to receive the synchronizationsub-data packet; and the data receiver being configured to switch, afterreceiving the synchronization sub-data packet, between the frequencychannels of the frequency band in correspondence with the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets transmitted on the respective frequency channels incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern.
 42. The datareceiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet comprises a synchronization sequence for synchronizingthe synchronization sub-data packet in a data receiver; the datareceiver being configured to detect the synchronization sub-data packetusing a reference synchronization sequence in a receive data stream. 43.The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, the data receiver beingconfigured to receive only the synchronization sub-data packet on thesynchronization frequency channel.
 44. The data receiver in accordancewith claim 31, the data receiver being configured to receive thesynchronization sub-data packet at a lower bandwidth than the pluralityof sub-data packets.
 45. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31,the data receiver being configured to receive the synchronizationsub-data packet using a different modulation type than the plurality ofsub-data packets.
 46. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31,wherein the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted at adifferent transmission power than the plurality of sub-data packets. 47.The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet is provided with a different channelcoding or with channel coding comprising a different error protectionthan the plurality of sub-data packets.
 48. The data receiver inaccordance with claim 31, wherein the synchronization frequency channeland the frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packetsare transmitted are channels of a frequency band which is associatedwith the data transmitter and the data receiver.
 49. The data receiverin accordance with claim 31, wherein the synchronization frequencychannel and the frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-datapackets are transmitted are channels of different frequency bands. 50.The data receiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet is transmitted repeatedly; the datareceiver being configured to receive the plurality of sub-data packetsbased on at least one of the repeatedly emitted synchronization sub-datapackets or a combination of the repeatedly emitted synchronizationsub-data packets.
 51. The data receiver in accordance with claim 31,wherein the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted divided ontoat least two synchronization partial sub-data packets and at a timeinterval so that there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the synchronization partial sub-datapackets.
 52. The data receiver in accordance with claim 51, the datareceiver being configured to receive the at least two synchronizationpartial sub-data packets on different dedicated synchronizationfrequency channels.
 53. The data receiver in accordance with claim 52,wherein the at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets aretransmitted on the different dedicated synchronization frequencychannels at different transmission powers.
 54. The data receiver inaccordance with claim 52, the data receiver being configured to receivethe at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets within thebandwidth of the same synchronization frequency channel at differenttransmission frequencies.
 55. The data receiver in accordance with claim51, the data receiver being configured to receive and combine the atleast two synchronization partial sub-data packets to acquire thesynchronization sub-data packet.
 56. The data receiver in accordancewith claim 51, wherein one of the at least two synchronization partialsub-data packets comprises a synchronization sequence, and wherein asecond one of the at least two synchronization partial sub-data packetscomprises information on the time/frequency hopping pattern with whichthe plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted; wherein the datareceiver is configured to detect the first one of the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets using a referencesynchronization sequence in a receive data stream and to receive, basedon a known time/frequency interval between the at least twosynchronization partial sub-data packets, the at least one furthersynchronization partial sub-data packet to acquire the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern.
 57. The data receiver in accordancewith claim 31, wherein the activation information is at least one of: anindicator indicating whether the data are to be received; addressinformation of the data transmitter, or information derived therefrom;address information of a group of data transmitters which the datatransmitter is associated to, or information derived therefrom; addressinformation of the data receiver, or information derived therefrom; andaddress information of a group of data receivers which the data receiveris associated to, or information derived therefrom.
 58. The datareceiver in accordance with claim 31, wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet comprises configuration information for receiving theplurality of sub-data packets; the data receiver being configured toreceive the plurality of sub-data packets in correspondence with theconfiguration information.
 59. The data receiver in accordance withclaim 58, wherein the configuration information is at least one of: adata rate; a channel code; a code rate; a modulation alphabet; amodulation type; a pilot sequence; a frequency offset; a time offset;and a quartz tolerance.
 60. The data receiver in accordance with claim31, wherein the data receiver is a data receiver which is able toreceive data only on one frequency channel at the same time.
 61. A datareceiver configured to receive data transmitted divided onto a pluralityof sub-data packets and distributed in a plurality of frequency channelsin correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein thereare transmission intermissions where no transmission takes place,between the sub-data packets; wherein the data receiver is configured toreceive a synchronization sub-data packet on a synchronization frequencychannel which is fixed relative to the frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket comprises activation information using which the data receiver isable to establish whether the data transmitted by means of the pluralityof sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; wherein the datareceiver is configured to establish, using the activation information,whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver and, in case the data aredestined for the data receiver, to receive the plurality of sub-datapackets.
 62. A repeater configured to receive data transmitted dividedonto a plurality of sub-data packets and distributed in correspondencewith a time/frequency hopping pattern to acquire a plurality of receivedsub-data packets, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of sub-data packets; therepeater being configured to receive a synchronization sub-data packeton a fixed synchronization frequency channel; wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises activation information usingwhich the repeater is able to establish whether the data transmitted bymeans of the plurality of sub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly;wherein the repeater is configured to establish, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly and, in case the data areto be emitted repeatedly, to receive the plurality of sub-data packets;wherein the repeater is configured, in case the data are to be emittedrepeatedly, to emit the data repeatedly by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof repeated sub-data packets.
 63. The repeater in accordance with claim62, the repeater being configured to emit the plurality of receivedsub-data packets again sub-data packet by sub-data packet to transmitthe plurality of repeated sub-data packets.
 64. The repeater inaccordance with claim 62, the repeater being configured to combine anddecode the plurality of received sub-data packets to acquire the data;the repeater being configured to re-encode the data and divide the sameonto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets.
 65. The repeater inaccordance with claim 62, the repeater being configured to combine anddecode the plurality of received sub-data packets to acquire the data;the repeater being configured to re-encode the data and to divideinformation derived therefrom onto the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.
 66. The repeater in accordance with claim 62, wherein the dataare coded and distributed to the plurality of sub-data packets suchthat, in the case of error-free transmission, only a first group ofsub-data packets of the plurality of sub-data packets is used forsuccessfully decoding the data and such that, in the case of erroneousdecoding, an increased code gain is achieved by a combination of thefirst group of sub-data packets and a second group of sub-data packets;the repeater being configured to decode the first group of receivedsub-data packets and, in case decoding was successful, to re-encode thedata and divide the same onto at least a first group of repeatedsub-data packets and emit the same before receiving a last sub-datapacket of the plurality of sub-data packets.
 67. The repeater inaccordance with claim 66, the repeater being configured to decode thefirst group of received sub-data packets and, in case decoding was notsuccessful, to combine and decode the first group of received sub-datapackets with the second group of received sub-data packets to acquireand re-encode the data and divide the same onto the plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets.
 68. The repeater in accordance with claim 64,the repeater being configured to divide the data onto the plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets such that a number of repeated sub-datapackets is smaller than a number of the sub-data packets or receivedsub-data packets.
 69. The repeater in accordance with claim 64, therepeater being configured to re-encode the data and divide the same ontothe plurality of repeated sub-data packets such that the plurality ofsub-data packets and the plurality of repeated sub-data packets arecombinable with one another at least partly on the receiver side toachieve a higher code gain.
 70. The repeater in accordance with claim69, the repeater being configured to emit the plurality of repeatedsub-data packets in correspondence with the repeated time/frequencyhopping pattern such that the time/frequency hopping pattern and therepeated time/frequency hopping pattern result in a combinedtime/frequency hopping pattern which can be commonly received on thereceiver side.
 71. The repeater in accordance with claim 62, therepeater being configured to emit the synchronization sub-data packetagain or emit a newly generated synchronization sub-data packet on thefixed synchronization frequency channel or another fixed synchronizationfrequency channel.
 72. The repeater in accordance with claim 62, whereinthe activation information is at least one of: an indicator indicatingwhether the data are to be received; address information of the datatransmitter, or information derived therefrom; address information of agroup of data transmitters which the data transmitter is associated to,or information derived therefrom; address information of the datareceiver, or information derived therefrom; address information of agroup of data receivers which the data receiver is associated to, orinformation derived therefrom; a counter indicating how often the datahave already been emitted repeatedly.
 73. The repeater in accordancewith claim 62, the repeater being configured to update the activationinformation and to emit the updated activation information with thesynchronization sub-data packet.
 74. The repeater in accordance withclaim 62, wherein the received time/frequency hopping pattern and therepeated time/frequency hopping pattern are equal or different.
 75. Therepeater in accordance with claim 62, the repeater being configured toemit the plurality of repeated sub-data packets in a different frequencyband than the plurality of received sub-data packets were received in.76. A method for transmitting data, comprising: dividing the data onto aplurality of sub-data packets; transmitting the plurality of sub-datapackets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hoppingpattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets; transmitting asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel, wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequencychannels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprisesactivation information using which a data receiver is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are destined for the data receiver.
 77. A method for receivingdata transmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packetsdistributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern,wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the sub-data packets, the method comprising: receiving asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel by a data receiver, wherein the synchronization frequencychannel and frequency channels in which the plurality of sub-datapackets are mainly transmitted in correspondence with the time/frequencyhopping pattern are different; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket comprises activation information using which a data receiver isable to establish whether the data transmitted by means of the pluralityof sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; establishing,using the activation information, whether the data transmitted by meansof the plurality of sub-data packets are destined for the data receiver;and receiving the plurality of sub-data packets by the data receiver incase the data are destined for the data receiver.
 78. A method forrepeatedly emitting data transmitted divided onto a plurality ofsub-data packets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets, the methodcomprising: receiving a synchronization sub-data packet on a fixedsynchronization frequency channel by a repeater, wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises activation information usingwhich the repeater is able to establish whether the data transmitted bymeans of the plurality of sub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly;establishing, using the activation information, whether the datatransmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets are to beemitted repeatedly; receiving the plurality of sub-data packets by therepeater and repeatedly emitting the data by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, in case the data are to be emittedrepeatedly, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets.
 79. A non-transitory digital storage medium having storedthereon a computer program for performing a method for transmittingdata, comprising: dividing the data onto a plurality of sub-datapackets; transmitting the plurality of sub-data packets distributed incorrespondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe sub-data packets; transmitting a synchronization sub-data packet ona fixed synchronization frequency channel, wherein the synchronizationfrequency channel and frequency channels in which the plurality ofsub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondence with thetime/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises activation information usingwhich a data receiver is able to establish whether the data transmittedby means of the plurality of sub-data packets are destined for the datareceiver, when said computer program is run by a computer.
 80. Anon-transitory digital storage medium having stored thereon a computerprogram for performing a method for receiving data transmitted dividedonto a plurality of sub-data packets distributed in correspondence witha time/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets, the method comprising: receiving a synchronization sub-datapacket on a fixed synchronization frequency channel by a data receiver,wherein the synchronization frequency channel and frequency channels inwhich the plurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern are different;wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprises activationinformation using which a data receiver is able to establish whether thedata transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-data packets aredestined for the data receiver; establishing, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are destined for the data receiver; and receiving theplurality of sub-data packets by the data receiver in case the data aredestined for the data receiver, when said computer program is run by acomputer.
 81. A non-transitory digital storage medium having storedthereon a computer program for performing a method for repeatedlyemitting data transmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packetsdistributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern,wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the sub-data packets, the method comprising: receiving asynchronization sub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequencychannel by a repeater, wherein the synchronization frequency channel andfrequency channels in which the plurality of sub-data packets are mainlytransmitted in correspondence with the time/frequency hopping patternare different; wherein the synchronization sub-data packet comprisesactivation information using which the repeater is able to establishwhether the data transmitted by means of the plurality of sub-datapackets are to be emitted repeatedly; establishing, using the activationinformation, whether the data transmitted by means of the plurality ofsub-data packets are to be emitted repeatedly; receiving the pluralityof sub-data packets by the repeater and repeatedly emitting the data byemitting a plurality of repeated sub-data packets in correspondence witha repeated time/frequency hopping pattern, in case the data are to beemitted repeatedly, wherein there are transmission intermissions whereno transmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets, when said computer program is run by a computer.
 82. A datatransmitter configured to divide data onto a plurality of sub-datapackets and to transmit at least a part of the plurality of sub-datapackets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hoppingpattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets; the datatransmitter being configured to transmit a synchronization sub-datapacket on a fixed synchronization frequency channel; wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern; wherein the synchronization sub-datapacket comprises the information on the time/frequency hopping patternin at least one of: at least a part of error protection data; at least apart of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronizationsub-data packet in a data receiver; a hopping pattern in correspondencewith which the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted dividedonto at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets anddistributed over time and frequency; a hopping pattern between theemission of the synchronization sub-data packet and a repeated emissionof the synchronization sub-data packet; a data rate of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a channel code of the synchronizationsub-data packet; a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet; amodulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet; a modulationtype of the synchronization sub-data packet; a frequency offset of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a time offset of the synchronizationsub-data packet; and a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter whichthe synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.
 83. A data receiverconfigured to receive data transmitted divided onto a plurality ofsub-data packets and distributed in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets; the datareceiver being configured to receive a synchronization sub-data packeton a fixed synchronization frequency channel; wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the plurality of sub-datapackets are transmitted; wherein the plurality of sub-data packets arereceived using the information on the time/frequency hopping patter;wherein the information on the time/frequency hopping pattern isextracted from at least one of: a data field within the synchronizationsub-data packet; at least a part of error protection data; at least apart of a synchronization sequence for synchronizing the synchronizationsub-data packet in a data receiver; a hopping pattern in correspondencewith which the synchronization sub-data packet is transmitted dividedonto at least two synchronization partial sub-data packets anddistributed over time and frequencies; a hopping pattern between theemission of the synchronization sub-data packet and a repeated emissionof the synchronization sub-data packet; a data rate of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a channel code of the synchronizationsub-data packet; a code rate of the synchronization sub-data packet; amodulation alphabet of the synchronization sub-data packet; a modulationtype of the synchronization sub-data packet; a frequency offset of thesynchronization sub-data packet; a time offset of the synchronizationsub-data packet; and a quartz tolerance of the data transmitter whichthe synchronization sub-data packet is dependent on.
 84. A datatransmitter configured to divide data onto a plurality of sub-datapackets and to transmit at least a part of the plurality of sub-datapackets distributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hoppingpattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the sub-data packets; the datatransmitter being configured to transmit a synchronization sub-datapacket on a fixed synchronization frequency channel; wherein thesynchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in which theplurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted in correspondencewith the time/frequency hopping pattern are different; wherein the datatransmitter is configured to channel-encode the data and to divide thesame onto the plurality of sub-data packets such that, in the case of asuccessful transmission thereof, only a second group of sub-data packetsis used for decoding the data and such that, in the case of an erroneoustransmission, a higher code gain is achieved by a combination of a firstgroup of sub-data packets and the second group of sub-data packets; thedata transmitter being configured to transmit the first group ofsub-data packets temporally before the second group of sub-data packets,and the data transmitter being configured to transmit thesynchronization sub-data packet after the first group of sub-datapackets and before the second group of sub-data packets.
 85. A datareceiver configured to receive data transmitted divided onto a pluralityof sub-data packets and distributed in correspondence with atime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the sub-datapackets; the data receiver being configured to receive a synchronizationsub-data packet on a fixed synchronization frequency channel; whereinthe synchronization frequency channel and frequency channels in whichthe plurality of sub-data packets are mainly transmitted incorrespondence with the time/frequency hopping pattern are different;wherein the data are channel-encoded and divided onto the plurality ofsub-data packets such that, in the case of a successful transmissionthereof, only a second group of sub-data packets is used for decodingthe data and such that, in the case of an erroneous transmission, ahigher code gain is achieved by a combination of a first group ofsub-data packets and the second group of sub-data packets; wherein thefirst group of sub-data packets is transmitted temporally before thesecond group of sub-data packets, and wherein the synchronizationsub-data packet is transmitted after the first group of sub-data packetsand before the second group of sub-data packets; wherein thesynchronization sub-data packet comprises information on thetime/frequency hopping pattern with which the second group of sub-datapackets is transmitted; wherein the data receiver is configured toreceive the second group of sub-data packets using the information onthe time/frequency hopping pattern.
 86. A repeater configured to receivedata transmitted divided onto a plurality of sub-data packets anddistributed in correspondence with a time/frequency hopping pattern toacquire a plurality of received sub-data packets, wherein there aretransmission intermissions where no transmission takes place, betweenthe plurality of sub-data packets; wherein the repeater is configured toemit the data repeatedly by emitting a plurality of repeated sub-datapackets in correspondence with a repeated time/frequency hoppingpattern, wherein there are transmission intermissions where notransmission takes place, between the plurality of repeated sub-datapackets; wherein the data are coded and distributed to the plurality ofsub-data packets such that, in the case of error-free transmission, onlya first group of sub-data packets of the plurality of sub-data packetsis used for successfully decoding the data and such that, in the case oferroneous decoding, an increased code gain is achieved by a combinationof the first group of sub-data packets and a second group of sub-datapackets; the repeater being configured to decode the first group ofreceived sub-data packets and, in case decoding was successful, tore-encode the data and divide the same onto at least a first group ofrepeated sub-data packets and emit the same before receiving a lastsub-data packet of the plurality of sub-data packets.
 87. A repeaterconfigured to receive data transmitted divided onto a plurality ofsub-data packets and distributed in correspondence with a time/frequencyhopping pattern to acquire a plurality of received sub-data packets,wherein there are transmission intermissions where no transmission takesplace, between the plurality of sub-data packets; wherein the repeateris configured to emit the data repeatedly by emitting a plurality ofrepeated sub-data packets in correspondence with a repeatedtime/frequency hopping pattern, wherein there are transmissionintermissions where no transmission takes place, between the pluralityof repeated sub-data packets; wherein the repeater is configured tocombine and decode the plurality of receives sub-data packets to acquirethe data: the repeater being configured to re-encode the data and dividethe same onto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets, or wherein therepeater is configured to re-encode the data and divide informationderived therefrom onto the plurality of repeated sub-data packets;wherein the repeater is configured to divide the data onto the pluralityof repeated sub-data packets such that a number of repeated sub-datapackets is smaller than a number of the sub-data packets or receivedsub-data packets.